ISOLATION AND TRANSLATION OF RENIN mRNA FROM THE MOUSE SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND

Polyadenylated mRNA from submandibular glands of male mice was translated in a cell-free reticulocyte lysate system in the presence of [35S]methionine. I1nmunoextraction of the translation products with specific anti-renin antibody demonstrated a renin precursor (preprorenin) with M,:45,000, as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fiuorography. Antibody binding of the product was readily blocked by adding an excess of purified renin. Tryptic peptide analysis yielded very similar patterns for the in virro translation product and authentic renin.